My Easily Removeable Window Air Conditioner

[Frederick L. Simson]

I have been studying the ways others have modified their trailers to add air conditioning. I came up with the following design to put a balanced unit in my Fiber Stream's window. I wanted it to be simple, easily installed, and easily removed. I decided against doing a permanent install through the wall, for I could not bring myself to cut another hole in the hull and then add structures to brace it.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Here is the air conditioner, in it's box, sitting on the floor in the front of the trailer.



I have slid open both the window and the screen, in preparation for installing it for use.

Here is an outside view of the open window.



I've had to open the rock guard also.

[Frederick L. Simson]

These are the "extra" pieces I have made that will allow for an easy installation:

I bought a 4' piece of 1" x 1" angle aluminum ($9), and cut from it two 17 1/2" lengths, notched at the top, and drilled for screws for side mounting on the air conditioner.

I also bought a piece of Poplar wood ($1.50), 3/4" thick, 2 1/2" wide, and had the store cut it to 17 3/4" in length. When I got it home, I jigsaw cut the radius end curves.
I got these first two items at Home depot.

At work I found a scrap of 3/4" thick foam, 2 1/2" wide, and 8"long (free). I cut it into two 4" long pieces and then cut opposite radius curves out of the pieces.

Then I went to Ridout Plastics, here in San Diego, and dug through their "scraps" bin . I found a leftover piece of 1/2" thick Plexiglas (3 pounds @ $2 per pound), and had them trim it ($12 cutting fee) to 17 1/4" x 6 1/4".

[Frederick L. Simson]

This is the GoldStar 5000 BTU Air Conditioner I bought at Home Depot for $89. I have installed the metal frame piece to the top that came with it. I saved the foam strips that came with it for sealing around the window you put it in.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Along the bottom of the cabinet are 2 "L" bracket clips. They fit perfectly into the window frame bottom channel!



I cut a piece of afore-mentioned foam strip and lay it in the "L" brackets to seal the bottom of the unit in the window frame.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Now I set the Air Conditioner upright and attach a previously prepared 1" x 1" aluminum angle bracket to the left side with screws included in the A/C's packaging. The angle bracket has thin foam tape applied to seal it to the unit's cabinet (Also included in the A/C's packaging).




Here I've attached the bracket to the right side, and installed the Plexiglass into the "window" pocket I have created above the A/C unit. Attaching the side angle brackets is the only need I have for a screwdriver in the whole installation.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Next I place the prepared piece of Poplar wood into the side of the window frame channel.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Then I pick up the assembled Air Conditioner, and while tipping the top toward me, engage the bottom "L" bracket clips into the window's bottom channel, tucking the foam strip in the channel too. The unit just fits between the opened glass & screen panels on the left, and the Poplar spacer board on the right.





While I have the whole A/C unit tipped toward me, I rotate the Plexiglass panel's top outward to engage the window's upper channel. Then I gently push the unit into the window, straightening the plexiglass, and wedging the whole affair against the foam tape strips.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Here is the inside view of the Air Conditioner, Holding itself sturdily in the window frame.



I can now plug it in to the outlet below the Streetside Bunk.

[Gina D.]

Super idea!

When will you start on mine?

[Frederick L. Simson]

Now I run outside and install (remember the free foam?) plugs into the remaining gaps in the corners of the opened window glass from the outside.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Back inside, I re-hang the curtain and set up the table. (Supervised by Boo-Boo Bear and my Vibrating Frog ( FOOT massager!)

[Lizbeth]

Super idea!

When will you start on mine?

Mine too!

I really think I'm going to try the window method. I can always hack a hole in the trailer later.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Super idea!

When will you start on mine?

Everybody get in line behind [b]Robert! He says, "Enuf trailer projects! When am I going to get started on the House list?

[Benita]

Wow Frederick,

You've given me something to consider. I've never been at a location with sufficient amperage for me to try and operate my AC. If it proves to be a dud, I doubt I'll replace it in the conventional way. This looks like a feasible alternative.

[Frederick L. Simson]

One little bit of operational warning... I did not consider a circumstance of operation when I 1st went to remove the air conditioner after using it.

Removal is done in reverse order of installation. I have to tip the air conditioner INTO the trailer to disengage it from the window channel. After operation, the bottom of the unit has collected water that it has dehumidified from the air, and tipping the unit INTO the trailer will pour this water in your lap.

I now use a towel to hold the air conditioner as I tip it INTO the trailer, and soak up the 6 ounces of water that drains out, before I lift it out of the window chanel.

[Benita]

How much does the window unit weigh, Frederick? I have a similarly sized Haier unit. It weighs 40 pounds which I'm wondering about. It seems a bit heavy for the window to me. Problem is, I haven't found a unit that is lighter

[H. Fred Fuller]

Excellent pictorial tutorial

I did something like that last fall, well almost, I got started then it snowed, and the next thing it's now, but axles and frame are on the top of the list now.

FRED.............................................. .

Everybody get in line behind [b]Robert! He says, "Enuf trailer projects! When am I going to get started on the House list?

[Frederick L. Simson]

How much does the window unit weigh, Frederick? I have a similarly sized Haier unit. It weighs 40 pounds which I'm wondering about. It seems a bit heavy for the window to me. Problem is, I haven't found a unit that is lighter

I guess that no more than 40 pounds might be about right. It weighs about the same as the Microwave oven, and that I actually weighed; it is 29 pounds. I'll have to weigh it when I go to work tomorrow.

[Suz]

Fred,

Now you know why I put a drain hole (with a plug) in mine. Although my A/C is a permanent mount, draining all the water does keep it from splashing in during travel.

If I recall, you have a drain on yours, it's just not on the bottom. Try cranking your trailer down in the front before you remove it. The remaining water should empty out.